How much to take..

guest61 · May 31, 2011

In February when the ice began to melt - I scaled my tackle right down for trips to local venues.

Notionally, this was - A Pole, a few winders, hooks, weights, scissors, disgorger, some line, something to sit on, bait and a landing net. Apart from the pole and net this lot fitted into a collapsible bait bucket.

Five months later this has mutated into all of the above plus a margin pole, a feeder rod, an Avon style rod, a float rod, assorted reels, bank sticks, rod pod, rod rest heads, an umbrella a tackle box, a box of feeders and an unhooking mat.

Correspondingly bait has developed from half a pint of pinkies and two slices of bread, to a couple of pints of maggots, feed pellets, expander pellets, hookable pellets, swim stim pellets, ground bait (three types) and a few shelf life boilies.

This lot is carried around in a Fox Rucksack.

Whilst the weather has got warmer the fish have been feeding with more confidence I like to take a few options. But, I'm really a bit concerned that with the forthcoming river season things will really get out of hand.

Is this an unreasonable amount? I'm seriously tempted to go back to a rod and reel plus a few bits and bait but I'm afraid that I won't have my beloved options.

Help..

watatoad · May 31, 2011

River fishing I used to take

a holdall 3off 13' rods a heavy leger rod a light leger/quiver rod. multiple bank sticks, a telescopic landing net handle
the largest stephens tackle bag/seat with inside 3 reels, a double tier wooden float box completely full, a completely full plastic tool box which 3/4 filled the seat/bag a landing net, 4 boxes of maggots, 2 bags of groundbait, half a loaf of crusty bread, 2 flasks 2 boxes of sandwiches, a catapult, a folding bait bowl and almost the kitchen sink.

Diagnosed with severe on acute Multiple sclerosis, then followed 2 major heart attacks (still got 29% of my heart working though). I was forced with a choice lighten up or give up fishing.

Nowadays, a grandslam trolley, a lightweight rod holdall with 2 rods usually a float rod and a rod adapted for a swing or a quiver tip, a wychwood solace large tackle bag (not the extra large), a couple of bank sticks, 2 lightweight reels, 3 spare spools, very basic tackle the tackle and floats now go in a craft box chopped and cut around inside to get then to fit snugly, 2 small flasks, sandwiches are in a plastic bag, a small bottle of water (needed for dissolving tablets) 2 bait boxes, a pocket full of medication (yuk - I hate taking pills) a landing net, a telescopic landing net handle, a lightweight chair.

If I was fitter I would dump the chair in favour of a folding stool or something waterproof to put on the ground to sit on and I would dump the trolley.

There are times when I go lighter still 1 rod 1 reel and I cut down on everything else I can, do I take an umbrella only in the very worst of conditions otherwise its just a lightweight set of waterproofs, I even wear very lightweight shoes...hehehe

With the constant consideration for weight I have got to the point where all I really need is a rod, a reel, a landing net and landing net handle a bit of very basic tackle I can carry it all in one hand, in fact I can carry it in jacket pockets except the rod and landing net handle...hehehe no problem, so I have stopped being an angling donkey and am no longer a beast of burden to my desire to be covered for any eventuality, after all I am not match fishing just specimen hunting or pleasure fishing.

What do I think about it? I feel freer than I have felt for years and I am constantly trying to just take exactly what I need and no I do not leave loads of stuff that might be useful in the car - two reasons thieves and by the time I walked to the car and back I would be buggered and unable to even cast a line...hehehe

richiekelly · May 31, 2011

watatoad said:
River fishing I used to take

a holdall 3off 13' rods a heavy leger rod a light leger/quiver rod. multiple bank sticks, a telescopic landing net handle
the largest stephens tackle bag/seat with inside 3 reels, a double tier wooden float box completely full, a completely full plastic tool box which 3/4 filled the seat/bag a landing net, 4 boxes of maggots, 2 bags of groundbait, half a loaf of crusty bread, 2 flasks 2 boxes of sandwiches, a catapult, a folding bait bowl and almost the kitchen sink.

Diagnosed with severe on acute Multiple sclerosis, then followed 2 major heart attacks (still got 29% of my heart working though). I was forced with a choice lighten up or give up fishing.

Nowadays, a grandslam trolley, a lightweight rod holdall with 2 rods usually a float rod and a rod adapted for a swing or a quiver tip, a wychwood solace large tackle bag (not the extra large), a couple of bank sticks, 2 lightweight reels, 3 spare spools, very basic tackle the tackle and floats now go in a craft box chopped and cut around inside to get then to fit snugly, 2 small flasks, sandwiches are in a plastic bag, a small bottle of water (needed for dissolving tablets) 2 bait boxes, a pocket full of medication (yuk - I hate taking pills) a landing net, a telescopic landing net handle, a lightweight chair.

If I was fitter I would dump the chair in favour of a folding stool or something waterproof to put on the ground to sit on and I would dump the trolley.

There are times when I go lighter still 1 rod 1 reel and I cut down on everything else I can, do I take an umbrella only in the very worst of conditions otherwise its just a lightweight set of waterproofs, I even wear very lightweight shoes...hehehe

With the constant consideration for weight I have got to the point where all I really need is a rod, a reel, a landing net and landing net handle a bit of very basic tackle I can carry it all in one hand, in fact I can carry it in jacket pockets except the rod and landing net handle...hehehe no problem, so I have stopped being an angling donkey and am no longer a beast of burden to my desire to be covered for any eventuality, after all I am not match fishing just specimen hunting or pleasure fishing.

What do I think about it? I feel freer than I have felt for years and I am constantly trying to just take exactly what I need and no I do not leave loads of stuff that might be useful in the car - two reasons thieves and by the time I walked to the car and back I would be buggered and unable to even cast a line...hehehe

like you i have had to cut my tackle down due to health reasons,what has helped a lot is the power walker electric trolley that my wife got me,they really do enable me to reach swims i wouldnt be able to without it.

Peter Jacobs · May 31, 2011

the blanker said:
what has helped a lot is the power walker electric trolley that my wife got me,they really do enable me to reach swims i wouldnt be able to without it.

Absolutely!

I cannot recommend these strongly enough, I know a couple of anglers who have them, took their advice and got one for myself.

It can take a pretty big load and I've used it on the Avon for walks of about a mile that I couldn't have done without it.

An excellent piece of kit!

quickcedo · May 31, 2011

On a day fishing trip on the river, if it don't fit in my pockets and one hand it don't come.

guest61 · May 31, 2011

MarkTodd said:
On a day fishing trip on the river, if it don't fit in my pockets and one hand it don't come.

This is where I'm headed.

Although I have the memory of taking one rod for a session on the middle Severn - (an hour and a half from home) and breaking it at the butt section whilst setting my chair up.

Tee-Cee · May 31, 2011

I take a Super Specialist small Rucksack which holds all I need including flasks.This leaves hands free to carry chair,bait bag and unhooking mat with the rod bag slung across my shoulders.Its comfortable with all the weight on my shoulders and I can walk any distance with this set-up...miles if necessary!
It took me some time to work out the best method which still allowed me to take the necessary gear to make changes and I think I have it about right now although I accept I stil take far too much ancilliary stuff like floats,weights etc.

If I'm honest the Rucksack has been the best bit of gear Ive bought for years-so comfortable and loads of pockets for bits like camera,scales etc all of which are the lightest I can afford.In fact when I buy anything like a new chair I always go for the lightest above all else......

ps I'm also pretty fit so I don't carry lots of extra weight which I think makes it hard for some to move easily....bad enough carrying the gear without lugging two stone of flab aroung my middle!!
The electric trolley sounds great for those with bad health and as the years roll by maybe I'll need to invest in one........................but not for a while (I hope!!)

Bluenose · May 31, 2011

If you chop and change your venues then the tendency is to take everything you might need everytime you go. If you're going to be fishing the same stillwater venue or river for several sessions in a row then after a session or two you can usually slim your kit down a little.

Then of course it depends what you are fishing for, if you're heading for the severn fishing for anything that swims then again the tendency could be take all your gear, and every concievable bait, however if you're just fishing the float then it's maggots or just fishing for barbel in the feeder then it's pellets/hemp boilies whatever.

Long story short if you make up your mind before you go what you're fishing for it'll make your overall tackle weight much lighter. I change species and venues with the seasons and I still find myself sometimes taking more than I need, however a few sessions usually helps sorts things out and makes the gear a bit more streamlined!

Ray Daywalker Clarke · May 31, 2011

A few hours then it goes in my pockets, a day, then a small bag and bait bucket.

One rod for a few hours, depending on were and what i am fishing for on a day session, maybe two rods.

Landing net and an unhooking mat all times

sam vimes · May 31, 2011

Horses for courses, it all depends on the timescales involved, target species, type of water and the weather. Sometimes I'll take nothing but a rod, reel, small bait tub, landing net and a pocket full of bits. On other occasions I'll have everything but the kitchen sink and take two trips with a barrow. There are no rights or wrongs, just what's best for you.

jimmy crackedcorn · Jun 1, 2011

I've more or less sorted my evening kit, just need a new chair and associated metalwork. My mate weighed his seatbox and then his bag with chair ( not a mega light one with heavy penrose off blocks) etc and chucked in 2 bags of pellets plus a spinning rod for good measure and it still weighed less than his box by some distance. I think the lack of gear out weighs the extra places you are prepared to walk to.

All I need to do now is go, been over a month and no end in sight !

How much to take..

guest61

Well-known member

watatoad

Well-known member

richiekelly

Well-known member

Peter Jacobs

Moderator

quickcedo

Well-known member

guest61

Well-known member

Tee-Cee

Senior Member

Bluenose

Moderator

Ray Daywalker Clarke

Well-known member

sam vimes

Well-known member

jimmy crackedcorn

Well-known member